De-bombshelling a pencil skirt: failure

Beth

It was a cold day today, so I thought I'd try pairing a chunky sweater with a pencil skirt and flat boots. Yeah...no. It was a cozy option, but it felt much better than it looked. Grrr.

I went from bombshell to blocky. It's forever a risk for the short-waisted, but darn it, is there a way to wear chunky sweaters without looking like a cinderblock?

I tried the sweater with jeans and boots and it looked marginally better, but still blocky.

Help! I'm cold!

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10 years ago

Dressing

13 replies

Latest reply was from unfrumped

Mochi

Veteran

I know it won't help to hear this, but I'd love to have your figure. That said, I think a less-chunky but still warm knit would work really well here. Fisherman-type knits can be really challenging (as pretty as they are).

10 years ago

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

Good job trying something new, Beth. The pencil skirt needs to be more tapered at the side seams to offset the bulky pullover. That's why your skinnies worked so well. The sleek bottom half rectified the blockiness - if you know what I mean, especially since you're wearing flat boots.

You looks sensational in #3.

10 years ago

Ajoanna

Active Member

While not as suitable for the chilly temperatures, I think a slightly lower neckline, a shorter, more eye-catching necklace, or even simply scrunching the sleeves would do wonders for the blockiness.

Have you tried layering a topper over the sweater, or would this be impractical for you? That would also help the outfit to be more vertical, not horizontal, if that makes any sense.

10 years ago

Greyscale

Veteran

I think this pencil skirt doesn't have the bombshell risk because it's straighter. It's a great skirt. Would it work with a shorter turtleneck sweater?

The jeans outfit works perfectly. The sweater itself is blocky but you aren't blocky in that outfit.

10 years ago

Echo

Veteran

I agree that #3 is fabulous. I love the sweater, and if the skirt were a more fitted pencil style as opposed to the A-line it is, it might have worked better. Regardless, I like the white and blue combination on you.

10 years ago

Beth

Veteran

Why thank you, Angie! *curtsy* You'd be SO proud of the Queen of Late Adopters. I'm regularly half-tucking *and* wearing slouchy khakis. See, there's hope for all me after all.

I do see what you mean about the skirt. It feels so fitted in the hips that I overlooked the fact that the skirt is straighter and less tapered than it should be. Hm. I may try pinning it in to see the difference. I'm glad #3 looks OK!

And Mochi, it absolutely helps to read such kind words. Thank you. And you're right about fisherman sweaters; they're not the easiest thing to wear!

Greyscale and Echo, it sounds as though you're seeing the same thing Angie is. The skirt itself is wonderful: it's a tweedy wool with lots of texture. The material works beautifully with the sweater, just not the shape.

10 years ago

Caro in Oz

Veteran

I love #3 on you. I agree with Angie a really sleek bottom half really helps

10 years ago

Jaime

(website)

Veteran

You hardly look like a cinderblock, but #3 is definitely my favorite!

10 years ago

shedev

Veteran

Your legs look a mile long in 3.

10 years ago

Sara L.

Veteran

I like #3 also and don't think you look blocky in the jeans and sweater. I see what you mean in #1 and maybe a belt would work to define your waist better. Also a more tapered skirt, as others have mentioned, might work.

10 years ago

carambola

Veteran

You look fantastic in 3! I have such a hard time pairing sweaters with pencil skirts. If you pin the skirt and like it, will you show us? I'd love to learn along with you.

10 years ago

Anonymous

Beth, my pencil skirts look the same way on me and this one does on you--not particularly bombshell. Some tapering might help, but I think it's partly a function of slim thighs. Your jeans show these off to perfection, and I think outfit number three looks fantastic on you. Don't forget that your trim (and high waist) can be seen in motion, even it the sweater photographs a bit blocky in a still shot. I love this look on you!

10 years ago

unfrumped

Veteran

Sounds like you've got it covered! You look great in both, though.
To me it's a combination--the skirt is not tapered and the sweater is straight-ish but not boxy and is a bit long for a skirt, hence it works so well with pants.
All of that is my eternal issue with pairing various tops & bottoms. I have tops that work with lots of similar-styled bottoms--either pants or skirts--so I can mix and match colors and textures, but it's harder to find a single top that work with skirts, and trousers, and tapered pants.

10 years ago

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